How does Skype make money?

When people think ‘Skype’, they usually think ‘free calls’. That’s because Skype-to-Skype voice calls, video calls and group calls on your computer are absolutely free. Throw in free instant messaging, sharing screens and sending files too – how do we make any money?

You can use your Skype Credit for a whole host of other things too – like sending text messages anywhere in the world, or buying a Skype Number – so your friends can call you from anywhere and you pick up in Skype.

If you’re on the move, you can set up a Skype To Go™ number for each of your friends so you can call their phone from any phone when you’re abroad. And with Skype WiFi provided by WiFi operators around the world, you can connect to the internet from a public WiFi hotspot using your Skype Credit. Plus, there are lots of options for getting Skype on your mobile phone.

And with group video you can have regular family catch-ups, or work together with colleagues and clients all over the world.

So that’s how we make money – by having great value features that people want to pay for. More importantly, that’s how we’re able to keep our core features free.